Is your child clingy and fussy, refusing to leave your side? Discover 5 ways to ease your clingy toddler into feeling more comfortable alone or with others.
I was getting exasperated with my toddler. He refused to leave my side, even at home, and shadowed me everywhere I went. It was a miracle if I could get a load in the laundry or tackle the dishes in the sink. Socializing with other kids didn't help at all.
Perhaps you can relate. Maybe your toddler is firmly rooted to your lap, refusing to play with other kids. Play dates and parties? Forget it. She wants nothing to do with anyone else but you!
During outings, you can’t even get her to play quietly on her own. She wants you nearby, within eyesight, and whines if you’re not. If you do get separated, even if it’s five … Read More...

Want to raise kids with a genuine passion for curiosity? Discover effective ways to raise children who love to learn — and not because they have to.
My son was in the kitchen trying to turn an empty box of strawberries into an airplane.
He had attached a propeller from another toy to the front and strapped a rubber band he'd hoped would sling it forward. It even came equipped with landing wheels.
The airplane never moved, much less flew, but this is the kind of learning I want to encourage in my kids. Not doing homework begrudgingly or even perfect grades, but the willingness to try and learn, all on their own.
Raising kids who love to learn
We can all appreciate kids who do well in school and know a ton of facts, but nothing beats a child who sees learning as fun. … Read More...

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of SingleCare. All opinions are 100% mine.
You may not know this, but the price you pay for dental and vision visits isn't always locked in.
I sure thought it was. I figured that whatever the insurance wouldn't pay meant it isn't covered, or that the fee I was quoted had to be the lowest price. I've canceled procedures that my insurance wouldn't cover, thinking I had no other option.
Turns out, it doesn't have to be this way.
Save with SingleCare
SingleCare can save your family money on prescriptions, dental, vision and virtual doctor visits.
For instance, you can save you up to 55% on dental care and 75% on eye care. How? They partner with providers, handling patient billing for dental offices and Walmart Vision … Read More...

Worried that your toddler isn't saying many words? Learn how to encourage late talkers to communicate with simple and effective activities.
When my little guy was a baby, people kept telling us, “Oh, he’s going to be an early talker, just listen to him babble!” I agreed, up until his 15-month appointment when his pediatrician asked the question that changed my mind:
“How many words does he say?”
“Umm…” I stammered. “Maybe three?” Even after I responded I knew I wasn’t being completely accurate.
You see, his three words weren’t words so much as babbles. He would say “mamama…” but without any direct correlation to me (or anything else, really), but because it sounded close to “mama” I counted it as a word. The other two were just as incoherent.
The pediatrician was … Read More...

Working long hours doesn't always afford the time to be with your baby. Learn effective techniques to spend time with the baby, even if you work long hours.
It's that tug we all feel on that first day back from work after maternity leave.
The 40 hours at work plus the commute to and from means we don't always get to spend time with the baby. Some of us may not even get home until 7pm or later, at which point the baby is ready to fall asleep (if he hasn't already done so).
And with washing bottles, making dinner, bathing the baby and packing for the next day, we feel deprived of time we want to spend with our kids instead. The guilt could even get so bad that you worry your baby might not "know" or bond with you as well as you'd hoped.
How to spend time with the … Read More...

You may not look like you're pregnant in the early weeks. Discover 9 telltale signs you're in the first trimester, from symptoms to cravings.
Looks can be deceiving. You might see a woman in her first trimester and not even realize she's pregnant. In fact, we spend a majority of our pregnancies with a fairly flat belly that can still fit into regular clothes.
Still, those first several weeks can reveal some of the biggest signs of pregnancy.While the third trimester is all about waddling and body aches, the first trimester is already well on its way to making huge changes both in our bodies and habits.
Because while your belly has a long way before being the biggest indicator, you're already experiencing clear signs that you're pregnant.
9 signs you're in the first … Read More...

You've heard the importance of consuming probiotics for a healthy gut. Now learn the benefits of eating probiotic food rich in healthy bacteria.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Activia Probiotic Yogurt. All opinions are 100% mine.
As moms, we focus a lot on the kinds of food we give our kids. We debate between processed and whole food, how early is too early to give sweets and cake, or whether to puree baby food or follow baby-led weaning.
But within all that focus on our kids' diets, we neglect our own. More than once, I've given my kids fruits while sneaking a chocolate for myself after they've been asleep (darn those Easter candies!).
The good news is that maintaining our health can start with simple choices like incorporating probiotics in our … Read More...

Are you overwhelmed with helping children learn mathematics? Discover effective ways to create a math rich environment at home.
Look through my home and you'll find evidence of the many ways I try to encourage my kids to keep learning. You'll see shelves of children's books, an alphabet rug in their bedroom, and artwork proudly displayed on the wall. Reading has also become such an ingrained part of our day, especially with our bedtime routine.
So imagine my surprise when I realized how little I focused on math.
For all my efforts to encourage early literacy, I had overlooked creating a math rich environment for my kids. Sure, I had a few number magnets on the fridge, but we hardly talked about math the way we'd read books throughout the day.
Disclosure: These are my … Read More...

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